Thanks

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to teach your children about the importance of giving thanks. In a busy world the thank you note or email or just saying thanks is being used more and more infrequently. Here are some ways to reinforce the importance of giving thanks and thanking others.

Teach Through Doing
Children learn through their parents actions. Take the time to thank others, send notes and emails. Say thanks to the people you deal with every day. The more your child sees you thanking others the more it will become part of how they show thanks to others.

Help Your Child Reflect on Giving Thanks
Set aside time during the holidays to complete a craft about giving thanks. Have your child create a collage by cutting out pictures of what they are thankful for and gluing them to colorful paper.

Have the Family Reflect on Thanks
When everyone sits down at the table, go around and ask them to say one thing that they are thankful for. This teaches you child what is important to their family.

Volunteer
Volunteering to help though a charitable organization or community group, even once a year, can do a lot to teach your children about being thankful and showing thanks to others. This is an especially powerful message during the holiday season.